The National Basketball League will stage the highly-anticipated return of the NBL All-Star Game at Adelaide Arena in South Australia on Saturday 22 December 2012 – bringing together the league’s 20 best players in a battle of north versus south.

Players from the Cairns Taipans, Townsville Crocodiles, Sydney Kings and Wollongong Hawks will be eligible for the North All-Stars team – while players from the New Zealand Breakers, Melbourne Tigers, Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers will represent the South.

Fans will play a central role in selecting the teams, having the opportunity to pick the starting five for both teams through an online voting system.

The reserves will be selected by the league.

Basketball Australia Chief Executive Officer Kristina Keneally said the Adelaide Arena was a perfect venue to hold the first NBL All-Star Game since 2007.

“Adelaide Arena will provide a fantastic setting for the stars of our league on what is sure to be one of the NBL’s night of nights,” Ms Keneally said.

“Adelaide Arena is an iconic Australian sporting venue, and South Australian fans are among our most passionate basketball supporters in the country.

“The Arena successfully hosted the NBL All-Star Game in 2006 – which was a hit with fans – so it’s no surprise that the 36ers once again actively lobbied for our venue to host the match.

“The combination of our great arena and the enthusiasm for basketball among fans in Adelaide makes it a perfect place to host the all new, All-Stars Game.

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Adelaide 36ers Chief Executive Officer Leeanne Grantham said: “Holding the NBL All-Star Game in Adelaide will be a significant boost for the Adelaide 36ers so we’re delighted that Adelaide Arena has been chosen as the venue.

The All-Star Game is the NBL’s showcase event and having it here will help capitalise on the excitement already surrounding the Sixers.

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The 2012 All-Star Game will feature the return of the popular Slam Dunk Competition and Three-Point Shoot-out, as well as the introduction of a Celebrity and Legends 3x3 game.

It will be broadcast nationally in Australia on TEN at 2.

00pm in all markets, live in New Zealand on Sky Sports, and live on NBL.

TV for mobile and tablets and simulcast on PCs.

The highest ranked head coach on the NBL ladder from the four teams making up the South at the end of Round Nine will lead the South All-Stars, with the same criteria used to select the coach of the North.

The league will also select legends of the game to act as Assistant Coaches.

Tickets for the 2012 NBL All-Star Game go on-sale exclusively for Adelaide 36ers and Adelaide Lightning Members on Thursday, October 25 at 9:00am.

General public tickets will go on-sale on Monday, October 29 at 9:00am.